“Did anyone bring a compass?” a voice chuckled from the back of our group. “Parisian streets can be quite a maze!”.It seems we are not just on any Parisian street. We are on Rue Lasegue. It’s tucked away in the 17th arrondissement, a stone’s throw from the bustling Boulevard Pereire. Don’t let its unassuming presence fool you. This street holds a fascinating connection to a pioneering figure in medicine, Dr. Ernest-Charles Lasègue. Born in Paris in 1816, Lasègue was a force to be reckoned with in the world of 19th-century medicine. He wasn’t just any physician. Lasègue was a keen observer, a man who believed in understanding the complete story of his patients. This led him to make groundbreaking contributions to neurology and psychiatry. You might have heard of Lasègue’s sign, a test for sciatica that’s still used today. But his interests didn’t stop there. He delved into the complexities of anorexia nervosa, shared psychotic disorders (or “folie à deux”), and even provided early descriptions of exhibitionism. These are all areas of medicine that we continue to grapple with, showing his lasting impact. Imagine, right here on Rue Lasegue, walking in the footsteps of a man who dedicated his life to unraveling the mysteries of the human mind and body. It’s a testament to the fact that even in the quiet corners of Paris, history whispers in every brick and cobblestone.
Église Notre-Dame de l’Air
Beneath what appears to be a simple stone and wood structure lies a history interwoven with faith aviation and community.